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About London
LONDON
is a big city. This may sound obvious but it does mean that wherever
you stay, even in the very centre, you will still need to use public
transport. Nearly all our homes are located near an underground
station (the tube) and often even closer to a bus stop (which can
be a more pleasurable way to travel around London). The most central
area in London is zone 1 on the underground, and zones 2 and 3 where
we have some very lovely homes are only a 10-20 minute tube ride
to the centre. You do not need to stay in the centre to enjoy the centre.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE click here
For information about the 2012 Olympic Games click here.
Airports
Let us know your arrival place and we or your host family can advise
the best way to reach their home. Luton, Gatwick, Stansted,
Heathrow and City airports have connecting trains, coaches or buses
to the centre of London from where you can take the underground. As
all the airports (except for Heathrow) are a considerable distance
from the centre of London and our homes are located in London itself,
we do not have accommodation near these airports.
From Heathrow you can take the underground into the centre. The Heathrow Express is a non-stop train service between Heathrow Airport and Paddington operating 365 days per year. Heathrow Connect is another train service which stops at Ealing Broadway and other tube stations on its way to Paddington. The National Express coach services operate from the central bus station to and from central London (Victoria).
Gatwick
The Gatwick Express takes just 30 minutes between London Victoria and Gatwick (35 minutes on Sundays) visit www.gatwickexpress.com to pre-book.
Services every 15 minutes north to central London (King's Cross Thameslink) – West Hampstead
Stansted
The Stansted Express train from Liverpool Street in central London departs every 15 minutes with an average journey time of 45 minutes. The Stansted Express also calls at Tottenham Hale (change here for Victoria Line). You can also take the National Express A6 bus to Victoria (central London) via Golders Green, Finchley Road, St Johns Wood, Baker Street and Marble Arch - operates 24 hours up to every 10 minutes. Also note A50 - Terravision Express Shuttle to London Victoria, a direct, non-stop service between Stansted Airport and London - ideal for Kensington, Notting Hill and other underground, rail and bus connections. Departing from coach bay 26. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes with departures up to every 30 minutes. Adult tickets cost £8 one-way and £14 return and for children £4 one-way and £7 return.
Luton Airport
First Capital Connect operates a fast, frequent train service direct between central London and Luton Airport Parkway train station. Luton Airport Parkway is around 25 minutes to King's Cross St. Pancras international station. Catch the Luton Airport shuttle bus from outside the terminal at Bay 1 which takes you to Luton Airport Parkway station in around 10 minutes where you can catch a First Capital Connect train. There is also a Green Line bus -757- which provides an express coach link between Luton Airport and central London from Bays 10 & 11. Stops include Brent Cross, Finchley Road, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Victoria.
London City Airport
The easiest way to get to/from London City Airport is to use the London City Airport DLR (Docklands Light Railway) station. The service running from London City Airport has direct connections with the Jubilee Line (at Canning Town), Northern, Central, Circle and Waterloo and City Line (all from Bank station). From London City Airport to Central London:
Option 1 - via Bank:
Take the Docklands Light Railway from London City Airport direct to Bank. The journey time is approximately 22 minutes and the trains run at 8-15 minutes intervals. Circle, District and the Central line also run from Bank.Option 2 - West End via Canning Town
Take the Docklands Light Railway from London City Airport to Canning Town to connect with the Jubilee Line. The journey time to Canning Town is approximately 7 minutes and the trains run at 8-15 minute intervals.
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Children
Families
are happy to accept children aged 5 years and over. If travelling
with one or two children you would have either a triple bedroom,
or a double bedroom and a twin bedroom. Children pay the same price
as adults.
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Parking
You
will find that having a car in London, especially in or close to
the centre, is difficult and frustrating because of the many parking
restrictions and charges. There is a daily £10 congestion charge
(payable from 7am-6 pm Monday-Friday) for drivers travelling into
certain central areas of London . If you have a car we suggest you
consider staying in a home in zone 3 where there are fewer or no
parking restrictions. If you are coming by car please mention this
at the time of booking so that we can advise you accordingly.
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Breakfast
A
generous continental breakfast is included in the price. A few of
our families offer a cooked breakfast and this is mentioned on the
accommodation details. Our hosts will always do their best to fulfil
your dietary requirements.
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Categories & Prices IF
YOU ARE TRAVELLING ON YOUR OWN please look at our SINGLES PAGE which you will find under Accommodation
& Prices. If you wish to stay only one or two nights,
please look at HOW TO BOOK.
A CATEGORY homes are located in zones 1 and 2. Prices
vary from £37
to £55
per person per night
for two visitors sharing a double or twin bedroom. The price for
a single visitor is from £42
to
£90 per night depending
on location and facilities.
B+
CATEGORY homes offer private or en suite bathroom or shower and
are located in zones 2 and 3. The price is £37
per person per night for two visitors sharing a double or twin bedroom,
and £50
to
£60 per night for
the single visitor. Occasionally two bedrooms share one bathroom but this is only for visitors travelling together.
B
CATEGORY homes are £32
per person per night sharing a twin or double room and £38
per night for the single visitor in a dedicated
single bedroom. These homes offer shared facilities and are in zones
2 and 3.
C
CATEGORY homes are £26
per person per night sharing a twin or double room and £30
per night for the single visitor. These homes offer shared facilities
and are located mainly in zones 3 and 4.
We
are sometimes able to negotiate a special price for a single visitor
staying in a double or twin bedroom in our B and C Category homes.
There is an additional
£6
administration charge for your original booking and an extra administration charge of £2 if you wish to extend your stay. This amount may vary for visitors staying on a longterm basis. You can be assured that we maintain high security standards as we are PCI DSS compliant (details on our booking form).
Hosts
provide bed linen, towels and soap, and we suggest you bring other
personal toiletries with you. Hosts generally make the beds,
empty waste baskets and give the room a quick clean every day.
If there is something specific you need, then please just ask.Just
to add - some visitors have asked whether host families expect a
tip or gratuity. Staying in a private home is not the same
as staying in a hotel and most of my host families would be embarrassed
by any monetary tip. If you wish to show appreciation, then
a bunch of flowers or box of chocolates is always a lovely gesture.
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For additional information click here
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